Kenya 7s Star Kevin Wekesa Shortlisted for Prestigious International Olympic Commitee Award

Wekesa, who has become an increasingly influencial member of the Kenya 7s men's side Shujaa, has made the final 15 man shortlist for the award.

Kenya Sevens and Kabras Sugar forward Kevin Wekesa has been named one of 15 finalists for the 2025 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Climate Action Awards.

This global recognition honours individuals and organizations within the Olympic Movement who are taking significant steps to address climate change through sports.

Wekesa earned his nomination for his groundbreaking "Play Green" initiative, a project designed to foster environmentally conscious practices within the sporting community.

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The winners of the prestigious award will be announced ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, where the IOC will celebrate outstanding sustainability efforts making a tangible impact worldwide.

Through "Play Green," the Kenyan speedster has supplied reusable aluminium water bottles to both the men's and women's national rugby teams. This simple yet effective measure eliminates an estimated 144 single-use plastic bottles during each training session, saving nearly 1,000 bottles weekly.

The initiative's influence extends beyond the national teams, reaching over 40 schools across Kenya. "Play Green" incorporates mentorship programs and sustainability workshops to empower the next generation to champion climate action.

As a testament to its impact, schoolchildren involved in the program have already planted more than 2,300 trees, demonstrating Wekesa's dedication to using rugby as a vehicle for environmental stewardship.

Wekesa Faces Stiff Competition For Award

Wekesa is in esteemed company, joining a list of global athletes making significant contributions to sustainability. Other finalists include:

Rhydian Cowley: An Australian race walker who has advocated for climate action plans within athletics organizations. Hugo Inglis: A New Zealand hockey player and co-founder of High Impact Athletes, which has mobilized over 240 athletes to direct more than $2 million toward climate and health projects.

Oliver Scholfield: A Canadian athlete whose consultancy, Racing to Zero, assists sports federations in reducing their environmental footprint. Gabrielle Smith: A fellow Canadian whose Rising Tides project has removed over 335 kilograms of underwater waste and provided environmental education to children from disadvantaged communities.